File photo shows the scene of a clash between anti-regime protesters and Bahraini forces near the capital, Manama.
Bahraini regime forces have clashed with anti-regime protesters during a demonstration held to demand the downfall of the al-Khalifa regime in the capital, Manama.
On Wednesday, Saudi-backed Bahraini forces fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators who were chanting anti-regime slogans in the streets of Manama.
Similar protest rallies have also been staged around the capital and in several other towns and villages across the Persian Gulf kingdom.
On February 12, Bahrain’s main opposition bloc al-Wefaq and the February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition called for anti-regime demonstrations this week to mark the second anniversary of the popular uprising against the rule of Al Khalifa dynasty.
The coalition has urged Bahrainis to go on strike and take to the streets on Thursday and march to the site of the iconic Pearl Square, the former epicenter of Bahrain’s revolution, on Friday.
However, Bahraini authorities say the planned rallies aim at putting pressure on the government-initiated national dialogue, which started on February 10 in a bid to end two years of anti-regime protests in the Persian Gulf state.
Bahrainis have been staging demonstrations since mid-February 2011, demanding political reform and a constitutional monarchy, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its crackdown on popular protests.
Bahrainis say they will continue holding anti-regime demonstrations until their demands for the establishment of a democratically-elected government and an end to rights violations are met.
MKA/JR
